Circular entry steps

[Mark Scott]

I am looking for information "how-to" on building a set of curved entry steps into a MCI 102A3 coach. The steps in the newer MCI models is what I desire to replicate. Has anyone attempted this? I have searched the archive with only Gray's project showing up. I don't subscribe any longer to the magazine, maybe there was an article in a past issue. I recognize that this could be a major undertaking, requiring a considerable amount of fabricating, skills and time. My first inclination is to completely remove the in-place stair system to get a understanding of the stair well opening. The slight curve required for the walls is also a consideration. Has anyone measured the curved stairs of a newer model MCI? Thanks in advance for any and all input. Mark Scott

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Mark,

I believe the E, and J models have 8 more inches ahead of the front tire then 9's, and 102's.

Here is a J4500 entry step photo.

Good Luck
Nick-

[luvrbus]

Mark, I don't know how to on a MCI but the guys with Eagles do it, if it will help I can direct you to a site with photos  good luck

[Mark Scott]

Nick, thanks for the photo. You may be right about the 8" xtra in front of the tire. Without going out to measure  a set, the entry is still probably close to the same width. The outside wall radius is framing out from a plumb surface, the interior radius wall would have to be "cut-into" the area of the passenger seat/step up in the aisle. Luvrbus, I would appreciate the site to look at the Eagle steps. The stairs in my 102 are most likely a tub type stairwell. It looks like it could be removed in several peices, once you get behind the stainless steel clad walls. Those curved stairs look sweet, it would give an older coach a real facelift. Mark

[Kentucky Steve]

Here's what I came up with outta the "Bus converters Bible"


HTH

Kentucky Steve

[Kentucky Steve]

Mark,

    You can find more on the steps I fabricated on my blogspot   http://ourbusconversion.blogspot.com/  If you dig deep into the archives you can see step by step how I fabricated these and it may give you something to work off of. 

Hope this helps.


Kentucky Steve

[PP]

Nice picks Kentucky, With a circular stair, where does the buddy seat go? Next to the driver?
Just curious, Will

[belfert]

I found the section on Steve's blog about building the steps: http://ourbusconversion.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2007-04-22T19%3A53%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=30

(No, I am not building a circular stairway.)

[Kentucky Steve]

Will,
    Your right, the copilots seat goes next to the pilots.  It will only be there in route tho as I am configuring a swing out system to allow the seat base to swing out over the stairs.  Then with the radius of the stairs she will still have solid floor under her feet.  This system was only possible since I raised the drivers area and made a level floor high driver.

Thanks

Kentucky Steve

[Mark Scott]

Thanks for the link Belfert, Steve thats real nice fabrication work you have going. Is the rise of each of your steps around 7"? I did some measuring on the MCI last night and standard step height is 9+" rise and 11.5" of run (depth) per step for a total of 28" overall rise and 36" for run (depth). The step up to the main floor from the drivers area is 6.25". I have seen where Jack Conrad added a step and reduced the rise to I guess 7" per rise. After examining Nicks photo, and looking at the MCI website, they accomplish the overall rise with 4 steps to the drivers area plus a step to the main floor. The stairs would be considered a quarter turn set. The width of the stair is approx 26" except where it widens out for the bottom step to 30". I might go out and measure a newer J4500 steps, unless a board member has this information. I'm of the belief that the current steps would need to be removed and rectangular pipe and angle fabricated in the existing opening. Is their any pictures archived with a set of steps being removed? It looks like a process, although I have not crawled into the spare tire compartment to see what lurks below. Thanks for everyones input and Steves blog on his set-up, Any additional help is appreciated. Mark